Anti-microbial agent

Abstract

A composition comprising a C8 to C24 polyunsaturated fatty acid such as -linolenic or ester thereof, and terpinene-4-ol or derivative thereof. The composition has activity as a broad-spectrum antibacterial composition.

The claims defining the invention are as follows: 
     
       1. A composition comprising:
 α-linolenic acid or an ester thereof, the linolenic acid or ester thereof comprising 1% by weight of the composition, wherein C8-C24 polyunsaturated fatty acids other than α-linolenic acid and esters thereof is not more than 20% on a weight to weight basis compared to the α-linolenic acid or ester thereof present in the composition; and 
 a terpinen-4-ol extract of tea-tree oil, at a level of 1% by weight of the composition, wherein the terpinen-4-ol extract contains no more than 20% by weight of the non-terpinen-4-ol components of tea-tree oil. 
 
     
     
       2. The composition of  claim 1 , comprising a ratio of C8-C24 polyunsaturated fatty acid or ester thereof to terpinen-4-ol between 1:5 and 5:1. 
     
     
       3. The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the ratio is between 1:2 and 2:1. 
     
     
       4. The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is in the form of a lotion, suspension, solution, spray, emulsion, paste, foam, eyewash, ointment, liquid soap, cream, solid soap, mouthwash, pastille or lozenge, gel, a towelette, hair tonic, shampoo or jelly. 
     
     
       5. The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the composition is in the form of a body wash, surface spray, a towelette, topical ointment, or nasal ointment. 
     
     
       6. The composition of  claim 5 , wherein the composition comprises between 0.1% and 5% C8-C24 polyunsaturated fatty acid. 
     
     
       7. The composition of  claim 5 , comprising a pH in the range of 4.8 to 7.5. 
     
     
       8. The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a disinfectant composition. 
     
     
       9. A method of inhibiting growth of bacteria, the method comprising the step of contacting a surface with a composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9  wherein the method inhibits the growth of Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the method inhibits the growth of methicillin-resistant  Staphylococcus aureas.    
     
     
       12. A method of treating a disease or condition caused by bacteria, the method comprising the step of administering to a subject in need thereof a composition of  claim 1 , and a carrier. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12  wherein the composition is administered topically. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the method treats a disease or condition caused by methicillin-resistant  Staphylococcus aureas.